HERBERT MELBOURNE LAPP 1922-2006

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HERBERT MELBOURNE LAPP 1922-2006 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Herbert Melbourne Lapp on March 2, 2006 at the St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 84. Herb was predeceased by his parents, William and Magdalina; brothers, Orra, Samuel, Willis, Albert; and sisters, Ida, Sarah, Hazel, Viola and Elvina. Herb will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 55 years, Alba of south Alameda; daughter Cheryl, of Madison, WI; sons, Ron (Gail) and Richard; granddaughters, Barbara, Christine and Pamela, all of Winnipeg; brother Clarke of Surrey, BC; and many nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends. Herb was born on February 2, 1922, on the Lapp farm in Alameda, SK. He was the youngest of 11 children, all of whom were born on the farmstead just east of Alameda. Herb was close in age and companionship to his brother Albert and they did many things together through school days, and for some time after such as playing baseball, hockey and various farm operations. After completing Grade 12, Herb remained on the farm for about a year, and then enlisted in the RCAF in 1942. He received his wings in 1943 and completed over 1100 hours of flying, including more than 300 of night flying. Following the end of the war in 1945, Herb enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1949. In 1950, Herb married Alba Dunnigan, and they moved to Weyburn, SK, where he worked for the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. In 1951, Herb moved to Winnipeg and joined the Manitoba Department of Agriculture as an Extension Engineer. In 1953, he joined the staff of the University of Manitoba, Department of Agricultural Engineering, as an Assistant Professor. He remained at the University, becoming a Full Professor, and serving as the Head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering for 10 years. During his time there, he traveled overseas extensively, taking his family on two fantastic life experiences to live in Bangkok and Khon Kaen, Thailand in 1965 and then to Lima, Peru in 1968. Herb was a professor and a researcher at the University for 33 years, retiring in July 1986. Herb loved attending sporting events, regularly taking his sons to Winnipeg Jet and Manitoba Moose hockey games, Winnipeg Whip and Goldeye baseball games, and Blue Bomber football games. Herb was also an avid curler, and spent many nights on the curling sheets at various curling rinks throughout the city. With the arrival of his three granddaughters, Herb soon had a new sport to follow soccer. He spent many afternoons and evenings watching his granddaughters play soccer for a variety of community club, premier and university teams. In his retirement years, Herb loved gardening, became active as a baseball umpire, and became a member of the Winnipeg Wartime Pilots and Observers Association. For the past few years he served as Treasurer for the Association. Herb also remained close to his roots in Alameda, SK. He owned the family farm until recently, and he and Alba regularly traveled to Alameda to visit friends and family. Herb faced many health issues in his latter years, and his strength and resilience constantly amazed family, friends and medical personnel alike. The family would like to thank the Doctors, in particular Dr. Reslerova and Dr. Verrelli, and the nurses and staff at the St. Boniface General Hospital for their care, dedication and kindness. If friends so desire, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Manitoba Branch. Herb will be dearly missed by family, friends, colleagues and former students. His kindness, knowledge, compassion and character will be cherished by all those who knew him. He was a true gentleman. Cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will be held at Thomson In the Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. on Wednesday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m. THOMSON IN THE PARK FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY 1291 MCGILLIVRAY BLVD (BETWEEN PEMBINA WAVERLEY) 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 11, 2006